There’s a great article on YahooHealth! titled “11 Workouts That Burn More Calories Than Jogging.” The list is impressive and reminds me of the great options available to burn a few more calories to stay fit. I love a great run, and when I can’t, I get frustrated and find myself trying to work a plan that will allow me to get my legs and body moving. However, a few of these are pretty awesome. I’ll let you check out the article for yourself, but here’s a snapshot of the list.

Cycling (I like it, but it just doesn’t do it for me like a good run)

Jet Skiing (I’d be all over this if I lived on a lake, river, or at a resort where they were readily available)

You can take all of the weight loss pills, gimmicks, diet fads, and money making schemes that prey upon those looking for a way to burn calories without moving their body, and archive them under “Sorry, there’s no lazy way to be healthy”. Our bodies need to move, and yes we need to burn as many calories as we consume if we’re to maintain weight, and we need to burn more calories if we intend to lose weight. As Forrest Gump’s Mom would say, “Stupid is, as stupid does”, and Forrest turns out to be a pretty smart fellow. He just ran.

As I’ve discussed before, I know that running tends to be a polarizing fitness topic. Folks either tend to really enjoy it, or they proclaim “I’m just not a runner – – I hate it.” The latter is typically attributed to the fact that a) when you start a good running routine it definitely reminds us how out of shape we are, breathing is hard and pain is abundant, and b) running can be momentous. I think there are strategies to get through both of these challenges, but I will note that study after study continue to reinforce that running is very good for you. A recent article posted to Yahoo!Shine, titled “4 Reasons Running Is Best for Weight Loss” covers the topic in a short, pithy way.

I suggest you check out the article for yourself, but my favorite element to a good run, is knowing that the “after burn” is working for me, and that’s the fitness equivalent of a two-fer or BOGO. There are physical reasons why running can be difficult, and as someone with suspect knees, I know this is a legitimate concern. However, where there’s a will, there’s a healthy way. So, I find a way.

I saw a snippet today from Yahoo!Shine that noted that a study led by the BBC and University of Chester (UK), demonstrated that standing an extra 3 hours per day instead of sitting, equates to burning 50 additional calories per hour (for those hours). This equates to an additional 30,000 calories per year (or 8 lbs). While it’s not always easy, many companies including my own are exploring adjustable work-spaces that allow employees to comfortably work at a computer, phone, ect. while sitting or standing. The same logic flows to other time spent watching TV, watching your kid play a sporting event, etc. So, in the spirit of “small steps”, how about looking for opportunities to stand more, and sit less. Why not take a stand to get more healthy?

I do a lot of crunches every day, as I have for a very long time. I want a strong core, like a flat stomach, and know that my abs are the one muscle group that I don’t want to over-build, so this particular muscle group doesn’t get a day off. A friend of mine turned me onto super crunches, which bring a little more to the table and do a really nice job on your lower abs. I’ve added 100 of these to the end of my daily crunch routine for a real low-ab burn. Give ’em a try.